Labour leader Joseph Muscat yesterday renewed his criticism over the award of the contract for the Delimara power station extension, saying it was being attacked by experts, environmentalists, and even people within the Nationalist Party.

Speaking during a party activity in Floriana, Dr Muscat accused Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi of promising everything to everybody before the general election and now losing credibility. Among those misled were bus owners, Go employees, teachers, the dockyard workers, nurses and doctors.

The Labour leader also said Maltese workers were being sidelined for lower paid foreign workers at the Freeport.

However, in a statement later, the Freeport denied claims by the opposition leader.

The company said Maltese workers were being consistently engaged as multi-skilled operators, despite the international crisis.

Malta Freeport said it engaged six workers from Sri Lanka last year after several calls for the engagement of specialised quay crane operators and talks with the union. The six workers were offered the same conditions as Maltese workers.